METRO ATLANTA’S GUIDE TO EDUCATION

Posted Dec 20, 2017

So much consideration goes into buying a new home. Is it close to work? Does it have a backyard? How far to the grocery store?

While all these subjects are important, one of the most important questions is: What kinds of schools are in the area?

Atlanta has a lot to offer when it comes to education, and whether you’re looking for a preschool or a university, there are many places to choose from. When it comes to kindergarten through 12th grade, however, there are even more options: public, private, independent, international, all-boys and all-girls.

We believe no school in Atlanta can be a bad choice, but it can surely get overwhelming. We’ve created a breakdown of all the different types of schools so that you can make the right decision for your family.

Public schools:

Atlanta’s city and county schools typically score well on the Georgia Milestones Assessment. Here, students get the opportunity to study each subject equally and prepare for adulthood beneath qualified teachers and coaches. Public schools are managed and funded by the government and all disciplinary or financial decisions are first discussed by the school board.

Private schools:

Atlanta Speech School

The private schools in the Atlanta area tend to focus on a particular demographic, whether that be a religion, a disorder, a subject or a gender. Funding is not received from the state government and all decisions are usually made by the nonprofit, for-profit or religious organization that owns the school.

Independent schools:

Though technically a private school because it also does not receive government funding, independent schools differ from private schools because it is completely unaffiliated with any kind of organization or church. The schools must follow a strict set of rules, governed by the school’s board of trustees, to be reaccredited by the National Association of Independent Schools every five years. Because independent schools pride themselves in having top-of-the-line facilities, tuition is usually fairly high and the administration must rely on donations rather than outside funding.

International schools:

Ideal for the travelling family, international schools boast of a challenging curriculum of foreign language and business. These schools teach students to be more independent, cooperative and accepting of other cultures. International schools make transferring education easy and assist families with relocation services.

All-boys and all-girls schools:

Gender-only schools offer a more hands-on approach to education and tailor to exactly what girls or boys need to become leaders in their field. College preparation begins at an early stage and extracurricular learning is strongly encouraged through internships and volunteerism.

Atlanta schools are as special and unique as your child and offer many opportunities to get them involved, find community, grow hobbies and become independent leaders. So before you sign your name on the lines for a new house, consider what education options are around and which ones will be best for your family.